How Dating Background Checks Unravel Disappearing Russian Partners

At Russia PI, a recurring case we see is this: someone meets a Russian partner online, develops what feels like a real relationship, and then—without warning—the partner vanishes. Naturally, the person left behind panics, wondering if their “girlfriend” or “boyfriend” is in trouble, ill, or worse. But in most of these scenarios, the missing person is not a real romantic partner at all—but rather a scammer following a rehearsed script.

The pattern is familiar to our private investigators in Russia. The scammer vanishes for a time, explaining it as hardship—illness, travel, blocked funds, even arrest—to make their identity seem more plausible. The dramatic silence is part of their tactic: it triggers concern, guilt, and a desire to rescue. That emotional pressure often leads the victim to send money or delay asking uncomfortable questions.

From our experience as investigators, the first and most cost-effective move is to conduct a dating background check to verify identity. Without in-person meetings, you don’t know if the Russian you’ve been chatting with is who they claim. Without that confirmation, chasing deeper leads is chasing a ghost.

Why identity verification comes first when dating someone from Russia

Avoid chasing someone who doesn’t exist
Many of these profiles are fabricated or stolen. If the person is fake, no amount of surveillance or tracing deeper will yield results—because there is no real person to trace.
It’s efficient
Verifying identity early filters out frauds and preserves investigative resources for cases with a real person behind them.
It offers legal paths later
Once identity is confirmed, investigators can legally access records, or coordinate with Russian authorities if needed.

How Russia PI performs identity checks

At Russia PI, the first step in confirming a person’s identity begins with searching for public and government records that can confirm the existence of this person, such as birth records, marriage records, criminal and court records, etc. Identity document verification is also helpful when the client can share any identification the supposed partner has provided, such as a passport scan, ID card, or driver’s license.

Investigators will also conduct a deep online search to confirm whether the individual’s name, photo, or personal details appear consistently across legitimate sources. Social media profiles, public records, and professional networks are cross-referenced for contradictions. Reverse image searches are also important to check if the same photographs appear under different names, a common red flag that indicates stolen or fake images.

These combined methods help determine whether the person behind the screen is genuine or simply another online scammer using a false identity. If the individual’s information holds up under scrutiny, Russia PI can proceed with more in-depth investigations if needed. If inconsistencies or evidence of deception are found, the client is advised to immediately stop sending money, cease communication, and avoid further emotional or financial losses.

Why these scams are growing

Romance scams are rising steeply in 2025. A recent report states there has been a 20 % increase in romance scam reports in Q1 2025 versus Q1 2024. In total, victims in recent years have lost over $1 billion+ to romance frauds. And while opportunities grow for Russian romance scammers, dating apps and social platforms struggle to enforce identity verification. Many make it optional or skip it entirely, leaving users vulnerable.

What you can do to protect yourself

If you’re dealing with a disappearing online partner, don’t jump to worst-case scenarios, but start with the basics. The identity check is your starting point and the most cost-effective. Once the truth is revealed, either you have real grounds for further investigation or you know you’ll be saving money and heartache by stopping a scam in its tracks. Contact us for a confidential dating background investigation quote.